Ethics Code Compliance

Section 3: Responsibility to Clients

• Prioritize client welfare above all other considerations.
• Involve clients and their representatives in treatment planning.
• Respect client autonomy and self-determination.
• Avoid conflicts of interest—if unavoidable, disclose and manage them.
• Discontinue services when they are no longer needed or beneficial.
• Facilitate transitions when services end or when a different provider would better serve the client.

Section 4: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees

• Provide competent supervision aligned with BACB requirements.
• Establish clear expectations through a written supervision contract.
• Monitor supervisee performance and provide ongoing feedback.
• Do not exploit the supervisory relationship.
• Model ethical behavior in all interactions.

Section 5: Responsibility in Public Statements

• Ensure all public representations of services are accurate and not misleading.
• Do not guarantee outcomes.
• Distinguish between professional opinions and empirically supported statements.
• Social media conduct must reflect professional standards.

Section 6: Responsibility in Research

• Conduct research ethically with IRB approval when required.
• Obtain informed consent from research participants.
• Protect participant welfare throughout the research process.
• Report results accurately without fabrication or selective reporting.

Ethical Decision-Making Model

When confronted with an ethical dilemma, follow this structured process:

Step 1: Identify the Ethical Issue

• What code section(s) are potentially implicated?
• Who are the affected parties (client, family, supervisee, employer, profession)?
• What are the competing interests?

Step 2: Consult the Ethics Code

• Read the relevant code sections carefully.
• Note any specific guidance for the scenario.
• Identify if multiple code sections apply and whether they conflict.

Step 3: Consult Colleagues and Resources

• Discuss with a trusted colleague or ethics advisory board.
• Review published ethics case studies and guidance documents.
• Consult legal counsel if the issue involves potential legal violations.
• Contact the BACB ethics department if the code does not clearly address the issue.

Step 4: Consider Outcomes

• What are the potential consequences of each possible action?
• Which action best protects client welfare?
• Which action is most consistent with the code?
• Are there unintended consequences to anticipate?

Step 5: Act

• Choose the course of action that best serves client welfare and aligns with the code.
• Document the decision, the rationale, and the consultation process.

Step 6: Evaluate

• After acting, assess the outcome.
• Did the resolution serve the client's interests?
• What would you do differently next time?

Common Ethical Dilemmas

Dual Relationships

• Providing services to a family member, friend, or employee.
• Socializing with clients or their families outside of professional contexts.
• Resolution: Avoid dual relationships when possible. When unavoidable (e.g., small community), document the relationship, establish clear boundaries, and monitor for adverse effects.

Scope of Competence

• Being asked to treat a population or condition outside your training (e.g., feeding disorders, OBM).
• Resolution: Decline or seek supervised training before accepting the case. Refer to a qualified provider.

Social Media

• Sharing client information (even de-identified) on social media.
• Posting about clinical work in ways that could identify clients or their families.
• Resolution: Do not post identifiable client information. Use extreme caution with "de-identified" information—small communities can often re-identify.

Insurance and Billing Practices

• Employer asks you to bill for services not rendered or to upcode.
• Pressure to document more hours than were provided.
• Resolution: Refuse. Document the request. Report if the practice continues.

Disagreements with Employers

• Employer's policies conflict with the Ethics Code or evidence-based practice.
• Resolution: Attempt to resolve within the organization. Document your concerns. If the conflict cannot be resolved and client welfare is at stake, consider reporting to the BACB or leaving the position.

Restrictive Procedures

• Pressure to use punishment or restrictive procedures when less restrictive alternatives have not been adequately tried.
• Resolution: Document that less restrictive alternatives were attempted and their results. Use restrictive procedures only when justified by data, with informed consent, and with oversight.

Documentation of Ethical Decisions

Every significant ethical decision should be documented:

• Date and context of the dilemma.
• Code sections consulted.
• Individuals consulted (colleagues, supervisors, legal).
• Options considered with pros and cons.
• Decision made and rationale.
• Outcome and follow-up.

Maintain these records securely as part of your professional files.

Reporting Ethical Violations

• BCBAs have an obligation to address ethical violations they observe.
• First attempt to resolve informally if appropriate and safe.
• If informal resolution fails or the violation is serious, report to the BACB.
• Mandated reporting obligations (abuse, neglect) supersede all other considerations.

Key References

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022). Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.
• Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2016). Ethics for Behavior Analysts (3rd ed.). Routledge.
• Brodhead, M. T., Quigley, S. P., & Cox, D. J. (2018). Practical Ethics for Effective Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Academic Press.